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Syria: Kevin Rudd backs 'robust response' over chemical weapons Syria: Kevin Rudd backs 'robust response' over chemical weapons
(21 days later)
Kevin Rudd says there is now "overwhelming evidence" the Syrian government is responsible for chemical weapons attacks against its own people, which was "arguably a crime against humanity" and should elicit as robust a response as possible.Kevin Rudd says there is now "overwhelming evidence" the Syrian government is responsible for chemical weapons attacks against its own people, which was "arguably a crime against humanity" and should elicit as robust a response as possible.
The international crisis in Syria is building as Australia prepares to take over the presidency of the UN security council on Sunday, but also as domestic politics is preoccupied with the election campaign.The international crisis in Syria is building as Australia prepares to take over the presidency of the UN security council on Sunday, but also as domestic politics is preoccupied with the election campaign.
The prime minister has spoken to US president Barack Obama and other world leaders in recent days. The opposition leader, Tony Abbott, who according to opinion polls is likely to become prime minister on 7 September, was receiving high level briefings on the crisis on Thursday afternoon.The prime minister has spoken to US president Barack Obama and other world leaders in recent days. The opposition leader, Tony Abbott, who according to opinion polls is likely to become prime minister on 7 September, was receiving high level briefings on the crisis on Thursday afternoon.
Rudd said on Thursday Australia was doing all it could within the UN to achieve a "robust" response against Syria because "the regime needs to know it cannot get away with this with impunity".Rudd said on Thursday Australia was doing all it could within the UN to achieve a "robust" response against Syria because "the regime needs to know it cannot get away with this with impunity".
"There is a strong and almost overwhelming case in terms of the principles of international humanitarian intervention to make sure [the international response] is as robust as possible," Rudd said."There is a strong and almost overwhelming case in terms of the principles of international humanitarian intervention to make sure [the international response] is as robust as possible," Rudd said.
"Therefore, it is now critical that the international community move towards agreement on a robust international response to the regime ... In the absence of such a response, the problem is that this regime could then take succour that it could do this again. We do not believe that is the right course of action."Therefore, it is now critical that the international community move towards agreement on a robust international response to the regime ... In the absence of such a response, the problem is that this regime could then take succour that it could do this again. We do not believe that is the right course of action.
"Our belief is the Syrian government is responsible for the chemical weapons attacks against the Syrian people ... we are confident of this conclusion, the evidence in our judgment is now overwhelming. The Australian government condemns the Syrian regime for the use of chemical weapons against its people ...i t is an offence against humanity and arguably it is a crime against humanity," Rudd said."Our belief is the Syrian government is responsible for the chemical weapons attacks against the Syrian people ... we are confident of this conclusion, the evidence in our judgment is now overwhelming. The Australian government condemns the Syrian regime for the use of chemical weapons against its people ...i t is an offence against humanity and arguably it is a crime against humanity," Rudd said.
The defence minister, Stephen Smith, said no one was seeking military assistance from Australia.The defence minister, Stephen Smith, said no one was seeking military assistance from Australia.
Abbott described the events in Syria as "an abomination" and said "provided there is reasonable clarity about who is responsible there should be some form of sanctions".Abbott described the events in Syria as "an abomination" and said "provided there is reasonable clarity about who is responsible there should be some form of sanctions".
Even before the Syria crisis, when the election was scheduled for 14 September, rather than 7 September, foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop was discussing the pressure for the prime minister – whoever that might be – to attend UN leaders week in New York, starting on 16 September.Even before the Syria crisis, when the election was scheduled for 14 September, rather than 7 September, foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop was discussing the pressure for the prime minister – whoever that might be – to attend UN leaders week in New York, starting on 16 September.
Obama said on Wednesday: "We have concluded that the Syrian government in fact carried [the chemical attacks] out."Obama said on Wednesday: "We have concluded that the Syrian government in fact carried [the chemical attacks] out."
The president said he had not taken a final decision about air strikes but Syria needed to understand there were "international consequences" for its actions.The president said he had not taken a final decision about air strikes but Syria needed to understand there were "international consequences" for its actions.
"If in fact we make a choice to have repercussions for the use of chemical weapons, then the Assad regime will have received a pretty strong signal that in fact it had better not do it again," Obama told PBS television."If in fact we make a choice to have repercussions for the use of chemical weapons, then the Assad regime will have received a pretty strong signal that in fact it had better not do it again," Obama told PBS television.
But Syria has warned of "grave consequences" if the US and its allies proceed with military action.But Syria has warned of "grave consequences" if the US and its allies proceed with military action.
Syria's ambassador to the UN, Bashar al-Jaafari, told reporters outside the security council in New York on Wednesday the effect could be felt across the Middle East.Syria's ambassador to the UN, Bashar al-Jaafari, told reporters outside the security council in New York on Wednesday the effect could be felt across the Middle East.
"We should keep in mind what happened in Iraq and Libya", the envoy said. The toppling of Libya's Muammar Gaddafi by Nato-backed rebels in 2011 had "spread terrorists all over Africa", he said."We should keep in mind what happened in Iraq and Libya", the envoy said. The toppling of Libya's Muammar Gaddafi by Nato-backed rebels in 2011 had "spread terrorists all over Africa", he said.
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